Thursday, July 21, 2011

Why, yes, I do - a peach crostata! Just crust and fruit. It is the epitome of a simple summer dessert. A crostata is a rustic tart/pie/pastry made directly on a baking sheet with parchment paper (see my favorite pre-cut parchment sheets here, 200 for $12), with fruit piled into the center, then the edges are folded up. There is no pie dish, tart pan or spring-form pan to clean, and if you use the parchment sheet while baking, you just have give the baking sheet a quick rinse when you're finished.

What else makes this so simple? You don't have to the peel the peaches, and you can even use store-bought pie dough. It only bakes or 15-20 minutes, unlike a 45 minute pie. I mean really, could there be anything easier?

Oh, I forgot to mention that it is delicious, too. The flaky crust coated with sugar, filled with warm cinnamon sprinkled peaches is magical. The short baking time allows the peaches to stay firm and fresh, instead of getting over done and mushy, as sometimes happens in a pie or cobbler.

Roll out pie dough into a 10-12 inch circle. Pile peaches into the center. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of sugar, the cinnamon and the nutmeg over the peaches. Dot the peaches with butter. Fold up the sides of the dough. Create an egg wash by beating 1 egg, then brushing it on the pastry. Sprinkle the remaining 1 tablespoon of sugar over the dough. Bake at 425 for 15-20 minutes.

The pieces of butter combine with the peaches and sugar to make a little bit of sauce in the crostata.

Fold up the sides, pinching it together.

Isn't it beautifully rustic?

Brush with the egg wash.

I like a good amount of sugar (about 1 tablespoon) on the outside of the crust - when it bakes it makes a sugary crust that is perfect with the warm peaches.

Your photos are so wonderfully clear i feel like im actually there! so gorgeous, and i love the simplicity of the first few shots too. This looks like a gorgeous basic recipe and i will be saving this one for future use :)

As for the debate, galette vs. crostata, I started wondering... what is the difference? I did a little google search and came upon Apartment Therapy The Kitchn's reply.

"Turns out, a galette and a crostata are essentially the same thing (one French, one Italian). Crostatas and galettes are typically free-form and rustic, with the dough edges folded up around the filling, which can be savory or sweet."

You may have needed to increase the baking time, for whatever reason. Also, since we're really getting into the height of peach season, the peaches you used could have been a little too ripe - or just riper (??) than the ones I used at the beginning of the season. Riper peaches tend to have more juice, which could have left your crust soggy.

I found this on Pinterest! I'm doing a farm to table menu this Saturday, Cool Cucumber Soup, Corn/Blueberry Salad, and now this! YUM. I might copy your last commenter and make 4 small ones instead of one big one.

Found this through Pinterest as well and this was a super yummy treat for summertime. Not too sweet and lighter than cake, but more than just a fruit salad. I made two and they went quickly in my house. Thanks for the recipe! :) Can't wait to try more.

I just made this for my mother for an early mother's day. This is the second recipe I made from you because I feel your desserts are great for brunch type affairs and something different than just the cupcakes and cakes I always make lol. Like your mom I used a home made pie shell recipe via Julia Child. This was simple but the downside on my end was that peaches are not that in season right now so they are small and hard no matter where I go :( but you did say a summer treat so my fault lol. I am anxious to try your other crostadas. Very simple recipe! :)

I just made this for my mother for an early mother's day. This is the second recipe I made from you because I feel your desserts are great for brunch type affairs and something different than just the cupcakes and cakes I always make lol. Like your mom I used a home made pie shell recipe via Julia Child. This was simple but the downside on my end was that peaches are not that in season right now so they are small and hard no matter where I go :( but you did say a summer treat so my fault lol. I am anxious to try your other crostadas. Very simple recipe! :)